October 4, 2016

LONDON -- Five Arrows Principal Investments, the corporate private equity business of Rothschild & Co, has made a significant equity investment in White Clarke Group, a fast-growing, global provider of specialist technology and software solutions to the automotive, asset and consumer finance markets.

Having invested substantially in its innovative CALMS product range over the last few years, White Clarke Group has achieved considerable growth globally and has now reached a point where the business will benefit from greater scale to meet growing customer demand. At this inflexion point, Five Arrows Principal Investments will leverage its capabilities to support White Clarke Group in its transition into the next stage of growth. Five Arrows Principal Investments is part of broader Rothschild & Co and has a focus on supporting software and technology platforms with recurring revenue streams underpinned by high customer satisfaction and retention rates.

With more than 100 customers in over 30 countries, including some of the world’s most recogniZed brands, White Clarke Group has proved itself to be a world-class technology provider and is well-placed to take advantage of significant, global growth opportunities.

As part of the transaction White Clarke Group has announced that Brendan Gleeson, currently Executive Vice President of the group, will take on the role of Group CEO. Ed White, currently President and CEO of the group, will transition into the role of Chairman.

Commenting on today's announcement, Brendan Gleeson, said:
“Five Arrows Principal Investments’ confidence in White Clarke Group and its CALMS product is a significant endorsement of our strategy and the way we have transformed the business over the last five years. The Rothschild & Co partnership will give us the platform we need to achieve the next phase of our growth strategy and help scale the business. I very much look forward to working with the leadership team to ensure White Clarke Group achieves its considerable potential. We will continue to invest in our people, our product and our customers to ensure this happens. ”

Commenting on today's announcement, Ed White, said:
“With a strong Executive Leadership team and Brendan’s passion for this business, White Clarke Group is well-positioned to move to the next stage of its growth trajectory. I believe Five Arrows Principal Investments will be an ideal shareholder. Under their stewardship, the legacy of my late business partner, Dara Clarke, and myself ‒ which bears both our names ‒ will be protected and our business can move from strength to strength. I am very proud of what the people in our organization have achieved and grateful for our customers’ continued faith in us.”